Unwelcome week?

This year, Michigan State University’s “Welcome Week” was cut from a full week to just a few days, with freshman moving in on Sunday and returning students on Monday. By the time you read this, classes will have started. Some say a full week is no longer necessary, and the shortened welcome helps curb excessive partying. Others say it’s a disservice to new students trying to get a handle on new surroundings. City Pulse hit up the mobs on Grand River Avenue on Monday to get some thoughts from students, alumni and workers.

"Definitely slow business last week. Basically, we saw a three-to-four day dramatic hit in sales in comparison to last year. For a three-to-four day difference, we are probably down a third. But then yesterday was a record-breaking Sunday." — Dustin Sprigg, general manager at Espresso Royale Café.

"When I was here, after three or four days you are getting lazy, and it’s not very good for starting classes. You already have a four-month summer." — Yuhe Hu, nursing junior

"One might say it’s creating a binge drinking phenomenon. I actually moved in early to have time to get everything done. It cost me $15 every day I came in early.” — Emily Westbrook, an MSU sophomore who transferred from Schoolcraft College.

"I think Welcome Week itself is important for social development. You get to know campus and city. [It’s] a week with no pressure. I’m sure there are some kids who over-do it the first time, but it’s a learning experience. Shortening welcome week isn’t going to cut down on drinking." — Mike Vitale, MSU alumni, class of ‘99

"I heard [Welcome Week] was a lot of partying. What I heard was right." — Alberto Velez, accounting freshman

“I think if I was a freshman it would not be good, because I needed the time to adjust. I heard people are going to party a lot more, because there is less time." — Kristen Thelen, fisheries and wildlife junior at MSU. "We go to four events this year, and we usually go to six. We are concerned most with introducing ourselves to the incoming students. I think we will be able to get out to people; we’ve been around for 20 years. It’s not like we’re starting from scratch." — Ken Hansen, journalism senior, promotions director for WDBM Impact 89FM